Coffee Table

This is a mission style coffee table I built for my home. The parts were simple as my tools/resources were so limited at the time. (1) 2’x4’ edge-glued panel, pre-fab (groan, I know) from Home Depot(1) 8’ 2×4(3) 8’ 1×4(4) 8’ 1×2(1 qt) Minwax Polyshades (1 bx) Pocket-hole screws(1 bx) 1” 18ga Brad Nails for air nailer

First, I will never, ever, ever use or recommend Minwax Polyshades again. Ever. Thinking about finishing this project makes my arms and shoulders hurt. It could very well be my inexperience with the product, but it gets really tacky way too fast for smooth application unless you want to pour on a really dark, thick shell. For this table’s finish I’d put a tiny amount on a cloth and rub it in until the passes faded. Any overlap on thicker application was very obvious, so take care.

This table has since been donated to a needy family trying to make themselves a home and I didn’t have the foresight to take progress pictures (or at least keep them), so this is all I have to show for it. It was a quick build, especially since I used the pre-fab top. I did have to route the edges to a 1/2” curve and glue/clamp one end where the panel was splitting slightly, but overall much less time invested. The 2×4 legs and 1×4 rails were lap-jointed. The stiles on the lower shelf rested on a 1×2 track affixed inside the 1×4 frame and were nailed in place with the brad nails. The 1×4 frame at the top held the table surface with pocket-hole screws about every 12”. This was done to avoid drilling deep holes through the rails since I did not have a drill press at the time and didn’t want to risk angled boring or bad tear-out with my handheld drill.

I used the General brand pocket-hole jig available at Home Depot and there is a distinct difference between it and a Kreg. If you can swing the Kreg, get one of theirs. Even better: if you have a drill-press, make yourself a jig for that. I’ve seen several postings of those around the net and plan to make one for myself soon.